Must-Have Muay Thai Training Equipment

Muay Thai Training Equipment Buying Guide

Your only limitations when purchasing Muay Thai training equipment is your budget and the size of your gym bag.

After establishing yourself in the sport of Thai boxing, you will discover that collecting Muay Thai equipment is just as enjoyable as performing "the art of eight limbs". Here are the 5 essential pieces of equipment you need to start Muay Thai training.

Muay Thai Shorts

Muay Thai shorts are a must-have gear for any hobbyist or serious Thai fighter. Muay Thai training involves a lot of kicks and knees, so it's important to have Thai shorts that fit properly and allow you to move freely in all directions. Satin or microfibre are common materials for Muay Thai shorts because they will enable them to retain their shape and maintain their luster throughout many training sessions.

Boxing Gloves

Muay Thai relies heavily on the use of boxing gloves. You and your opponent are both shielded from harm by gloves during training, sparring, and in-ring competition. Muay Thai boxing gloves vary somewhat from standard boxing gloves. Basic boxing gloves will do if you're just starting in the sport however after a few sessions you should then upgrade to more professional-grade Muay Thai gloves. Spending more on high-quality gloves further prevents potential injury to your hands, last longer, and save you more money in the long run.

Hand Wraps

Wrapping your hands underneath your boxing gloves will keep you safe while training. When you throw a punch in Thai boxing, you're putting a lot of pressure on your knuckles, hand and wrist. Therefore, the risk of injury is considered high. To lower the risk of injury, you must own several pairs of hand wraps or inner gloves. These wraps should utilise soft cloth, cotton, or latex which is then rolled out and wrapped around the fingers.

Mouthguard

Mouthguards help safeguard your teeth from impact type injuries such as punches or clashes. When starting Muay Thai, beginners should opt for a boil-and-bite variety of mouthpiece. Professional athletes typically utilise custom-fit mouthguards since the most prevalent problem with a boil-and-bite mouthguard is that it needs to perform as its best, especially for professional fighters who risk their health in the ring. A customised mouthpiece is optional for regular training, but it can't hurt to have one on hand, especially for sparring which is a regular training requirement.

Groin Guard

Men are the primary users of groin protectors. The groin is the most vulnerable area of the body. Therefore Muay Thai training puts it in danger, thus safety measures must be taken. The Muay Thai community generally considers that the best groin protector is a steel cup secured by straps or laces.